Cynthia and Brendan in Berkeley, CA

With a tiny guest list, style-savvy Cynthia Wang and Brendan Canning held their garden nuptials in Berkeley, then crossed the Bay for a mod restaurant reception along San Francisco's Embarcadero.

Runway gown: Brides are choosing their favorite catwalk frocks in white or ivory to wear down the aisle. Cynthia, an architect, fell for the soft structure of a Marc Jacobs evening gown that featured two long panels winding front and back, and ending with a fluid bow.

Kid-centric ceremony: With so many couples marrying older, it's rare to see a wedding without a niece or nephew in the bridal party. Even at their 17-guest nuptials, Cynthia and Brendan included two nieces as attendants.

Cool cocktails: Instead of serving standard-issue drinks, couples are going with clever concoctions that are as pretty as they are delicious. This bride and groom chose mojitos and jasmine tea with lychee blossoms.

Rustic rings: Brides as well as grooms are fingering wedding bands with a handcrafted look. Cynthia and Brendan opted for organic-style, Japanese-designed platinum bands that reminded them of cedar bark.

Cynthia and Brendan were attracted to the raw quality of these Niwaka platinum wedding bands from the Moore Collection. Cynthia and Brendan were attracted to the raw quality of these Niwaka platinum wedding bands from the Moore Collection.